The cloth of righteous societies is woven from the golden threads of charity. -H. David Burton
Charity- the pure love of Christ
Charity- never fails
Charity- endures forever
Good: handing money to the person on the street corner or writing a check to a humanitarian organization.
Better: taking the time to mentor a person in job seeking skills
Good: taking a meal to a family in need
Better: helping the head of household learn to budget or menu plan or to cook simple homemade meals
Good: smiling to the person nearest you in line
Better: opening your mouth and sharing a kind word
Four weeks after moving to San Pedro, Ca. I attended an activity at church. While we worked on a project a matronly lady asked if I had gotten settled in okay and how I like the area. I causally commented, without any sorrow or self pity, that I hadn’t made any friends yet. I’d been so busy unpacking, home schooling my oldest child, and caring for the three children (at that time ages, 1.5, 4.5, and 7.5) that I hadn’t taken the time to reach out to others.
A younger lady with blond hair and vibrant blue eyes looks up from her place at the far end of the table and calls out over the space, “What do you mean, Nicole, I’m your friend.”
I smiled at her a warm glow spreading through me. I didn’t even know her name.
Kathleen and I helped clean up from the activity. While we did so I learned her name, and met her husband and children. We spent a lot of time together over the next two years, until my family moved again. Sixteen years we have been friends. I have moved five times during those years (big moves: to central California, the east coast, the Midwest, back east again, and five years ago to Oregon) through it all we have stayed in contact and have shared much.
A kind word, a simple act has enriched my life immensely.
What act of charity, given to you, has affected your life? What charitable act have you committed that enriched your life in ways you didn’t foresee?
What a wonderful story. A friend like that is amazing, isn't it? I enjoyed this post very much.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet lady to make you feel welcomed in a new community.
ReplyDeleteJewish charity is called tzedakah. Because my children get so many presents in December for Hanukkah, my husband and I suspend allowance for the month. They have to decide which organization to donate the money to. In December, we'd visited the home of my husband's coworker and his family. One daughter has a rare form of cancer. My children decided to donate to a charity that targets this cancer. The man was touched and personally thanked my children. I liked that they had a direct experience with giving.
ReplyDeleteshortly after having twins, another lady in my church who had older twins stopped by with a bunch of groceries and baby-must-haves and wonderful advice. She was brand new to our church, and yet she reached out to me! It's developed into a wonderful friendship. I keep my eyes open to pay it forward in a similar way.
ReplyDeleteMy sisters mother-in-law paid for me to get my hair done when I couldn't afford it. It made me cry I was so happy.
ReplyDeleteIt warmed my heart to read your comments. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDelete